UX Researcher III: 26-03220

Akraya; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Akraya, Inc. is seeking a UX Research professional to meticulously evaluate user experiences across critical journeys). You will create comprehensive visual journey maps illustrating motivations and pain points to inform product development.

The role requires synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data and driving consensus among stakeholders across Product, Design, and Engineering. Responsibilities include PQS Baseline Scoring, session moderation, and maintaining a Findings Log with

Qualifications

• Strong background in observational research, task-based usability metrics, taxonomy coding, journey mapping and qualitative synthesis.
• Advanced proficiency in Figma, Google Docs/Sheets, and remote testing tools (HeyMarvin, UserTesting, or similar).
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional workshops and drive consensus between Product, Design, and Engineering.
• Experience with complex SaaS platforms or workflow-heavy enterprise products is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• PQS Baseline Scoring & Session Moderation: Execute qualitative evaluative sessions across 15 critical journeys. Track universal usability metrics, task completion tiers (Success, Failure, Disaster), and friction severity scores.
• Findings Log & Quantitative Spreadsheet Documentation: Maintain the PQS Findings Log database categorized by Area, Friction Type, Root Cause, Participant Profile, and Severity (1–4). Map findings to existing VOC data, Jira backlogs, or identify new open questions.
• End-to-End User Journey Maps: Build comprehensive visual journey maps capturing user motivations, decision paths, entry points, friction moments, and reach/severity estimates.

Skills

Qualitative research

Journey mapping

Usability metrics

Data analysis

Figma

Tools

Figma

HeyMarvin

UserTesting

Google Docs/Sheets

Job description

Job Summary

This role involves meticulously evaluating user experiences across critical journeys, identifying key friction points, and documenting findings for actionable insights. You will be responsible for creating comprehensive visual journey maps that illustrate user motivations and pain points throughout their interaction. The ideal candidate will synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to inform product development and drive consensus among stakeholders.

Primary Skills

Qualitative research (advanced), Journey mapping (advanced), Usability metrics (intermediate), Data analysis (intermediate), Figma (intermediate)

Contract Information

Contract Type: W2

Duration: 6 months (Possible Extension)

Location: San Francisco, CA (#LI-Hybrid)

Pay Rate: $90-92 per hour on W2 basis

Key Responsibilities

• PQS Baseline Scoring & Session Moderation: Execute qualitative evaluative sessions across 15 critical journeys. Track universal usability metrics, task completion tiers (Success, Failure, Disaster), and friction severity scores.
• Findings Log & Quantitative Spreadsheet Documentation: Maintain the PQS Findings Log database categorized by Area, Friction Type, Root Cause, Participant Profile, and Severity (1–4). Map findings to existing VOC data, Jira backlogs, or identify new open questions.
• End-to-End User Journey Maps: Build comprehensive visual journey maps capturing user motivations, decision paths, entry points, friction moments, and reach/severity estimates.

Must-Have Skills

• Methodological Expertise: Strong background in observational research, task-based usability metrics, taxonomy coding, journey mapping and qualitative synthesis.
• Tooling Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Figma (for journey mapping), Google Docs/Sheets (data analysis & tracking), and remote testing tools (e.g., HeyMarvin, UserTesting, or similar).
• Research Operations: Ethics, Recruiting, Screening and User Research Operations Facilitation Skills: Proven ability to lead cross-functional workshops, summarize complex insights for executive audiences, and drive consensus between Product, Design, and Engineering partners.
• Domain Knowledge: Experience with complex SaaS platforms, financial software, or workflow-heavy enterprise products is highly desirable.

Industry Experience

Experience with complex SaaS platforms or workflow-heavy enterprise products is highly desirable for this position.

About AKRAYA

Akraya is an award-winning IT staffing firm consistently recognized for our commitment to excellence and a thriving work environment. Most recently, we were recognized Inc's Best Workplaces 2024 and Silicon Valley's Best Places to Work by the San Francisco Business Journal (2024) and Glassdoor's Best Places to Work (2023 & 2022)! Industry Leaders in IT Staffing As staffing solutions providers for Fortune 100 companies, Akraya's industry recognitions solidify our leadership position in the IT staffing space. We don't just connect you with great jobs, we connect you with a workplace that inspires!